Matador — Restaurant in Carmel

on Main – Carmel, Indiana Wow. Not just another pretty face. Our group of eleven, walked into Matador on Main expecting a good night. What we found was a masterclass in how power, beauty, and precision come together to create something unforgettable.

The atmosphere alone could have carried the evening: warm, seductive lighting, rich Spanish-inspired décor, and a rhythm that pulls you in without trying too hard. But this isn’t a restaurant that relies on looks alone, it commands attention through flawless execution.

The reservation process was seamless. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately and greeted by Shane, who set the tone for the night with effortless confidence and charm. Every cocktail felt like a statement, crafted, balanced, and elegantly served in glassware as striking as the drinks themselves. The espresso martini? The best we’ve ever had. And this group has done its research.

The tapas were the real power move: empanadas, meatballs, carrots, mussels, peppers, chicken skewers, sliders, and tuna, each dish a deliberate play on flavor and presentation. But the tuna? A showstopper. Brilliantly red, perfectly fresh, laid over a crisp cucumber-edamame slaw. We ordered it three more times, unable to resist its pull.

What truly separates Matador on Main is its team. From the poised hostess to the visible, engaged manager, to Shane, our phenomenal server, every interaction reflected mastery and care. This is a staff that knows the art of hospitality and executes it with quiet authority. Matador on Main isn’t just another restaurant in Carmel.

It’s a knockout. Beautiful, confident, and impossible to...

We had a very disappointing experience. Service: From the beginning, our main server was not at all pleasant or helpful. We were a large party and I understand splitting the check can be complicated, but she ASKED how we were paying the bill. When we said individually, she stayed quiet and then said we can't really do that, but then didn't offer up any other options. We were trying to be kind and make life easier for her since we were a large party, but even after agreeing with her that we would split the bill ourselves, she was not at all pleasant. At one point she halfway threw spoons while bending over the table because she couldn't bring herself to walk around and place them down. She also seemed to have a problem with asking when to remove plates and drinks. We had one nice server come by the table. He was very pleasant and helpful... wish we could have requested him instead. Food: Truly, the most disappointing part. The calamari was oily, meatballs tasted like they were made with ketchup, lamb chops were bland (tasted like the were poached) croquettes also oily. The tuna was decent, however $20 for three slices of tuna and a cucumber salad... not at all worth it. The only plate some of us liked was the paella... but I can tell you it was precooked rice and definitely not great. The drinks were lackluster. Each of the sangrias we tried were bitter and lacking any real flavor. We were celebrating a birthday by the way, and were charged for dry almond cake that was brought out with it's cute little candle. About the only thing this place has going for it, is the atmosphere. Beautiful restaurant, terrible...

Our recent visit left much to be desired, primarily due to inattentive service and a frustrating mix-up with my wife’s Sangria order. While the ambiance was inviting and the menu promised an exciting dining experience, the execution fell flat.

From the moment we were seated, the service felt disjointed. Our waitress seemed distracted, taking an unusually long time to greet us and even longer to check back after we placed our orders. It was as if we were an afterthought, with the staff more focused on other tables or side tasks than ensuring our needs were met. This inattentiveness set a sour tone for the meal.

The most glaring issue came with the Sangria order. My wife specifically requested the Verde sangria, clearly communicating her preference to the waitress and request for less sugar, if possible. However, when the drink arrived, it was clearly a different sangria than the Verde. We questioned the waitress about the mistake, and instead of addressing it promptly, she seemed dismissive, insisting it was correct stating the only way she would know the difference is by tasting it herself. A neighboring table happened to also order a Verde sangria confirming our suspicions of the incorrect drink based off the garnish.

While the food was decent, the inattentive service and the drink mix-up overshadowed...